Virat Kohli steps down as India Test captain after 7 years

Virat Kohli on Saturday dropped a bombshell by quitting Test captaincy, a day after India suffered an unexpected series-defeat against a second-string South Africa. (AP Photo)

Kohli signed off as India's most successful captain after being given the reins of the side back in 2014 when M S Dhoni stepped down in the middle of the series against Australia. (AP Photo)

Arguably the biggest ambassador of the five-day game, Kohli took India to new heights in his tenure which saw the team become a force to reckon with in all conditions. (AP Photo)

Kohli made the announcement in the backdrop of his tense relations with the BCCI which removed him as ODI captain after the star batter himself decided to leave T20 captaincy. (AP Photo)

"Every thing has to come to a halt at some stage and for me as Test captain of India, it's now," Kohli wrote in a statement which he posted on Twitter, taking everyone by surprise. (AP Photo)

"There have been many ups and also some downs along the journey but there has never been lack of effort or lack of belief." (AP Photo)

Interestingly, when Kohli had quit T20 captaincy, he had also posted his message on social media. (AP Photo)

Kohli led India to the top of the world rankings and during his tenure, the team recorded memorable series wins in England and Australia. (AP Photo)

In what turned out to be his last series as captain, Kohli was at the centre of controversy during the third Test in South Africa as he vented his anger into the stump mic after a close DRS call for LBW went in favour of opposition skipper Dean Elgar. (AP Photo)